Jim Panknin                                                                                           President / CEO  

 San Diego Executive Flight

James “Jim” Panknin  is President and CEO of San Diego Executive Flight, a local Aircraft Management and Charter Company. San Diego Executive Flight was founded to fill the void in top quality aircraft charter and management in the San Diego area left by the acquisition and subsequent closure of JIMSAIR Charter.  The company offers premium services, safety, and efficiency in aircraft management, flight broker service, charter, and sales and acquisition consulting.

Prior to joining San Diego Executive Flight, Jim has worked in aviation-related activities for over twenty five years.  He served as a Marine Corps Pilot flying helicopters and turboprop aircraft in airports all over the world for 20 years (May 1984 – May 2004).  He also flew commercial charter aircraft based at Lindbergh Field from 2004 to 2008 as the Chief Pilot at JIMSAIR Aviation Services. 

Jim is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (1980 – 1984), and served in NROTC while he was in the University.  He is expecting MBA, Marketing from California, San Diego – The Rady School of Management (2009-2011).

Mr. Panknin is active in his community, serving as a Board of Director on the Santee School District Foundation and Chairman of the Grossmont Union High School District’s Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee. The mayors of East San Diego County appointed Mr. Panknin to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board Committee for a four-year term.